Wendy Macaluso, a Merrick parent, asked the district’s Board of Education several questions about school security during the public comment section of the board’s March 5 meeting.

Another audience member, Noel Cooperstein, asked whether the new security measures would address exterior windows in addition to doors. Palma said that the district’s security consultants did not recommend keeping windows closed and locked at all times, as was the case with doors. A number of district officials and PTA representatives interjected that exterior windows cannot be closed in warmer months, because the school buildings lack air-conditioning.